Aimed at toddlers, Baboo is engineered to be a cross between breast milk and cow’s milk

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A new milk product for toddlers has drawn criticism for preying on parental worry by creating a product where one isn’t needed.

Natrel’s Baboo claims to be the first milk product in Canada specifically aimed at toddlers 12 to 24 months old. Its purpose is “to ensure a smooth transition from breast milk or infant formula to regular milk,” the company said in a news release.

The makers of Baboo, which is in stores now, say the drink is engineered to closely mimic breast milk but with less sodium, more fat and added nutrients including Omega-3 DHA and Vitamin C. It is sold in shelf-safe tetra packs and doesn’t require refrigeration.

Lianne Phillipson-Webb, a registered nutritionist, says Baboo is trying to meet a nutritional need that doesn’t exist and is sending parents the wrong message.

“I don’t know what the real need for this milk is,” Phillipson-Webb said. “At that stage and age, it’s recommended that (children) go on to cow’s milk because their digestive systems can handle it.”

She said Baboo is just another processed solution for what can already be done through a consumption of healthy recommended foods and regular milk.

“I would worry a product like this would give parents a false sense of security that they are getting enough from this when really it it’s just another milk product,” she said.

Parents should work diligently to introduce kids of that age to a wide range of foods that vary in texture and nutrients, and increase their palate, Phillipson-Webb said.

Registered dietitian Lydia Knorr, who worked with Natrel on their new product, argues Baboo is filling a need for children who are moving toward regular milk.

“The primary reason behind having a transition product for children of this age is because quite often there is an issue with protein digestibility,” she said.

And Natrel insists Baboo should only be part of a child’s nutrition. That stance is reiterated on the product’s packaging, which states Baboo is meant to “complement the balanced diet of toddlers.”

What makes Baboo different from regular milk, Knorr said, is its protein content. The balance of whey and casein is engineered to be halfway product between mother’s milk and cow’s milk to mitigate digestive issues.

Growth milk, or fortified milk, for toddlers exists in other parts of the world, including Europe.

“Because the product is available elsewhere, we knew it was an opportunity for Canada,” said Caroline Losson, vice-president of marketing for Agropur Division Natrel.

Baboo claims to have several added nutritional benefits with the addition of cream, which also provides Vitamin D3 and is low in sodium.

But Phillipson-Webb said she’s puzzled by Natrel’s claims of lower mineral and sodium content to make it easier for infants to digest.

“I didn’t know that minerals were difficult to digest,” she said.

Knorr said the added Vitamin C helps toddlers better absorb nutrients from iron-rich foods, such as baby cereals, and that Omega-3 DHA supports the development of the brain, eyes and nerves.

Beyond the merits of Baboo’s composition, Phillipson-Webb said she’s concerned that marketing a product as rich in nutrients and perfect for this age range is sending the wrong message. “Is it just another product on the shelves to lure parents in to making their lives easier?” she said.

While nutritionists may dispute over the validity of the product, some parents have received the product warmly.

Commentators on a recent product review on UrbanMoms.ca liked the idea of a portable milk product with added nutrients that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

“Since it is shelf stable, I can purchase in bulk and it will not take up all of my fridge space,” wrote one commentator.

Baboo comes in 1L and 6 x 250 ml tetra packs at a recommended retail price of $3.29 and $6.99 respectively. A 1L carton of regular milk sells from about $2.99 to roughly $3.39 at local stores.